Apparatus and method for determining the depth of liquid in a drum

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for determining: proper operation of a cleaning system, the depth of liquid in a drum, the predicted failure of a pump, improving the ability to monitor cleaning system, improving the ability to monitor dairy wash systems, improving the ability to monitor animal husbandry systems, and/or increasing the efficiency with which various types of equipment, fluid levels, and/or systems can be serviced or monitored.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of the following patentapplications: (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/954,725, filedMar. 18, 2014; and (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/932,334,filed Jan. 28, 2014; each of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is generally directed to sensors and, morespecifically, to sensors adapted to determine the depth of liquid in adrum.

It may be advantageous to provide a sensor that is preferably: simple tomanufacture, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, relatively reliable,relatively easy to install, capable of determining the depth of liquidin a drum, capable of determining the volume of liquid in a drum,capable of knowing when liquid is being withdrawn from the drum insteadof a non withdrawal event, capable of monitoring withdrawals over timeand detecting trends or deviations from the norm so that gradualmalfunctions or changes in use can be detected, and/or capable ofsending alerts if the volume of liquid withdrawn from the drum is lessthan a predetermined volume.

SUMMARY

Briefly speaking, one embodiment of the present invention is directed toa sensor apparatus for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum. Thesensor apparatus includes a tube that has first and second ends. Thesecond end is configured for placement within the liquid. A seal ispositioned in the tube and spaced from the second end. A first sensor isdisposed in the tube between the seal and the second end and isconfigured to measure air pressure in the tube. The tube has an openingthat allows liquid in the drum to partially fill the tube. A processoris in electronic communication with the first sensor. A second sensor isin electronic communication with the processor and is configured tomeasure atmospheric pressure outside of the drum. An outer tube isdisposed over the tube, and, has third and fourth ends. The outer tubeis configured to withdraw liquid from the drum when the sensor apparatusis inserted into a hole in a top of the drum. The processor isconfigured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid in thedrum, according to: H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)). P_(b) is thepressure in the drum at the opening of the tube as measured by the firstsensor. P_(a) is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum as measuredby the second sensor. SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of the liquidinside the drum. H is the depth, or height, of the liquid inside thedrum generally above the opening in the tube. PPIC is determined by((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H). TUBE_(liquidinches) is the heightof liquid in the tube above the opening. And 249.17 is the standardpressure exerted by a one inch column of water. The processor is furtherconfigured to automatically determine a volume of the liquid in the drumwhile taking into account any adjustment needed due to the presence ofthe sensor apparatus therein. By using the depth of the liquid in thedrum and dimensions of the drum to determine an initial volume of liquidin the drum, the processor automatically adjusts the initial volume ofthe liquid in the drum to get a final volume of liquid in the drum thattakes into account the volume of the sensor apparatus, according to:Vdrum-final=Vdrum-initial−((H-Dliquid-in-sensor)*A). H is the depth ofliquid in the drum generally above the opening in the tube. Vdrum-finalis the final volume of liquid in the drum. Vdrum-initial is the initialvolume of liquid in the drum. A is a cross sectional area of the tube.Dliquid-in-sensor is the depth of the liquid in the tube determined asfollows: Dliquid-in-sensor=(L−(((Pi*Vi/Ti)*(Tf/Pf))/A)). Wherein L is alength of the tube; Pi is the initial pressure in the tube prior toinsertion of the tube in the liquid; Vi is the initial volume of thetube that is calculated by the dimensions of the tube; Ti is the initialtemperature of air in the tube; Pf is a pressure in the tube when thetube is submerged in the liquid as calculated by the first sensor; andTf is the final temperature of the air inside the tube when the tube issubmerged.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a sensor apparatus for measuring a depth of a liquid in adrum. The sensor apparatus comprises a tube that has first and secondends. The second end is configured for placement within the liquid. Aseal is positioned in the tube and spaced from the second end. A firstsensor is disposed in the tube between the seal and the second end andis configured to measure air pressure in the tube. A processor is inelectronic communication with the first sensor. A second sensor is inelectronic communication with the processor and is configured to measureatmospheric pressure outside of the drum. An outer tube is disposed overthe tube, and, has third and fourth ends. The outer tube is configuredto withdraw liquid from the drum when the sensor apparatus is insertedinto a hole in a top of the drum.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a sensor apparatus for measuring the depth of a liquid in adrum. The sensor apparatus comprises a tube having first and secondends. The second end is configured for placement within the liquid. Aseal is positioned in the tube and spaced from the second end. A firstsensor is disposed in the tube between the seal and the second end andis configured to measure atmospheric pressure in the tube. A processoris in electronic communication with the first sensor. A second sensor isconfigured to measure atmospheric pressure outside of the drum and is inelectronic communication with the processor.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a sensor apparatus for measuring the depth of a liquid in adrum. The sensor apparatus comprises a tube having first and secondends. A first sensor is disposed in the tube and is configured tomeasure atmospheric pressure in the tube. A processor is in electroniccommunication with the first sensor.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprises the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor is an air pressure sensor generating a firstsignal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom of thedrum; providing a at least one software module stored on anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, the software module isconfigured such that when operating on a processor, the processor isconfigured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid in thedrum based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal;providing a processor having at least one software module thereon;providing a tube including an opening therein, the opening configured tolet the liquid in the drum partially fill the tube; the processor isconfigured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid in thedrum according to: H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)), where P_(b) isthe pressure in the drum at the opening of the tube as measured by thefirst sensor, P_(a) is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum asmeasured by the second sensor, SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity ofthe liquid inside the drum, H is the depth, or height, of the liquidinside the drum, PPIC is determined by((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H), where TUBE_(liquidinches) is theheight of liquid in the tube above the opening, and 249.17 is thestandard pressure exerted by a one inch column of water; the processoris configured to automatically determine a volume of the liquid in thedrum while taking into account any adjustment needed due to the presenceof the first sensor therein by using the depth of the liquid in the drumand dimensions of the drum to determine an initial volume of liquid inthe drum, then the processor automatically adjusts the initial volume ofliquid in the drum to get a final volume of liquid in the drum thattakes into account the first sensor.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprises the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor is an air pressure sensor generating a firstsignal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom of thedrum; providing a at least one software module stored on anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, the software module isconfigured such that when operating on a processor, the processor isconfigured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid in thedrum based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal;providing a processor having at least one software module thereon.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprises the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing a secondsensor configured to be in fluid communication with ambient atmosphereoutside of the drum, the second sensor generating a second signalcorresponding to ambient pressure outside the drum; providing a at leastone software module stored on a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, the software module is configured such that when operating on aprocessor, the processor is configured to automatically determine thedepth of the liquid in the drum based on at least one of the firstsignal and the second signal.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprises the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum; providing a second sensor configured to be in fluidcommunication with ambient atmosphere outside of the drum; providing aat least one software module stored on a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium, the software module is configured such thatwhen operating on a processor, the processor is configured toautomatically determine the depth of the liquid in the drum based on themeasurements of at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum used aspart of a system for use in at least one of agricultural, equipmentcleaning, and/or animal husbandry. The method comprising the steps of:providing the drum configured to contain the liquid used in the system;providing a first sensor located in fluid communication with an insideof the drum, the first sensor being an air pressure sensor generating afirst signal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom ofthe drum; determining the depth of the liquid in the drum based on thefirst signal; providing at least one software module stored on anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, the software modulebeing configured such that when operating on a processor, the processoris configured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid in thedrum based on the first signal; providing a processor including the atleast one software module thereon such that the processor automaticallydetermines the depth of liquid in the drum; providing a tube having anopening therein, the opening configured to let the liquid in the drumpartially fill the tube; the processor is configured to automaticallydetermine the depth of the liquid in the drum according to:H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)), where P_(b) is the pressure in thedrum at the opening of the tube as measured by the first sensor, P_(a)is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum as measured by the secondsensor, SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of the liquid inside thedrum, H is the depth, or height, of the liquid inside the drum, PPIC isdetermined by ((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H), whereTUBE_(liquidinches) is the height of liquid in the tube above theopening, and 249.17 is the standard pressure exerted by a one inchcolumn of water; the processor further being configured to automaticallydetermine a volume of the liquid in the drum and taking into account anyadjustment needed due to the presence of the first sensor therein byusing the depth of the liquid in the drum and dimensions of the drum todetermine an initial volume of liquid in the drum, then the processorautomatically adjusts the initial volume of liquid in the drum to get afinal volume of liquid in the drum that takes into account the firstsensor.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum used aspart of a system for use in at least one of agricultural, equipmentcleaning, and animal husbandry. The method comprising the steps of:providing the drum configured to contain the liquid used in the system;providing a first sensor located in fluid communication with an insideof the drum, the first sensor being an air pressure sensor generating afirst signal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom ofthe drum; determining the depth of the liquid in the drum based on thefirst signal; providing at least one software module stored on anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, the software modulebeing configured such that when operating on a processor, the processoris configured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid in thedrum based on the first signal; providing a processor including the atleast one software module thereon such that the processor automaticallydetermines the depth of liquid in the drum.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum used aspart of a system for use in at least one of agricultural, equipmentcleaning, and/or animal husbandry. The method comprising the steps of:providing the drum configured to contain the liquid used in the system;providing a first sensor located in fluid communication with an insideof the drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing a secondsensor in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere outside of thedrum, the second sensor generating a second signal corresponding toambient pressure outside the drum; determining the depth of the liquidin the drum based on the first signal.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum used aspart of a dairy wash system. The method comprising the steps of:providing the drum configured to contain the liquid used in the system;providing a first sensor located in fluid communication with an insideof the drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing a secondsensor in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere outside of thedrum, the second sensor generating a second signal corresponding toambient pressure outside the drum; determining the depth of the liquidin the drum based on the first signal; the dairy wash system performinga predetermined number of washes, the dairy wash system only withdrawingliquid from the drum during a wash; the processor being configured tocollect a plurality of usage data comprising at least one of a time, atemperature of liquid withdrawn from the drum, and a volume of liquidwithdrawn from the drum; the processor being configured to compare theplurality of usage data against a plurality of predetermined data andissue an alert when a discrepancy occurs.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum used aspart of a dairy wash system. The method comprising the steps of:providing the drum configured to contain the liquid used in the system;providing a first sensor located in fluid communication with an insideof the drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing a secondsensor in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere outside of thedrum, the second sensor generating a second signal corresponding toambient pressure outside the drum; determining the depth of the liquidin the drum based on the first signal; the processor being configured tocollect a plurality of usage data comprising at least one of a time, atemperature of liquid withdrawn from the drum, and a volume of liquidwithdrawn from the drum; the processor being configured to compare theplurality of usage data against a plurality of predetermined data andissue an alert when a discrepancy occurs.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum used aspart of a dairy wash system. The method comprising the steps of:providing the drum configured to contain the liquid used in the system;providing a first sensor located in fluid communication with an insideof the drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing a secondsensor in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere outside of thedrum, the second sensor generating a second signal corresponding toambient pressure outside the drum; determining the depth of the liquidin the drum based on the first signal; the processor being configured tocompare a plurality of data collected on the liquid in the drum againsta plurality of predetermined data and issue an alert when a discrepancyoccurs.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing a tubeincluding an opening that is configured to let liquid in the drumpartially fill the tube; providing at least one software module storedon a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the softwaremodule being configured such that when operating on a processor, theprocessor is configured to automatically determine the depth of theliquid in the drum based on the first signal and to automaticallydetermine whether a liquid withdrawal has occurred or whether changes inthe first signal represent a non withdrawal event; providing a processorincluding the at least one software module thereon, the processorreceiving the first signal and automatically determining the depth ofthe liquid in the drum and automatically determining whether a liquidwithdrawal has occurred or whether changes in the first signal representa non withdrawal event; wherein the processor is configured toautomatically determine the depth of the liquid in the drum accordingto: H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)), where P_(b) is the pressure inthe drum at the opening of the tube as measured by the first sensor,P_(a) is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum as measured by thesecond sensor, SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of the liquid insidethe drum, H is the depth, or height, of the liquid inside the drum, PPICis determined by ((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H), whereTUBE_(liquidinches) is the height of liquid in the tube above theopening, and 249.17 is the standard pressure exerted by a one inchcolumn of water; the processor further being configured to automaticallydetermine a volume of the liquid in the drum and take into account anyadjustment needed due to the presence of the system therein by using thedepth of the liquid in the drum and dimensions of the drum to determinean initial volume of liquid in the drum, then the processorautomatically adjusts the initial volume of liquid in the drum to get afinal volume of liquid in the drum that takes into account the system.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor being an air pressure sensor generating afirst signal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom ofthe drum; providing at least one software module stored on anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, the software modulebeing configured such that when operating on a processor, the processoris configured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid in thedrum based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal andto automatically determine whether a liquid withdrawal has occurred orwhether changes in the first signal represent a non withdrawal event;providing a processor including the at least one software modulethereon, the processor receiving the first signal and automaticallydetermining the depth of the liquid in the drum and automaticallydetermining whether a liquid withdrawal has occurred or whether changesin the first signal represent a non withdrawal event.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing a secondsensor configured to be in fluid communication with ambient atmosphereoutside of the drum, the second sensor generating a second signalcorresponding to ambient pressure outside the drum; providing at leastone software module stored on a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, the software module being configured such that when operating ona processor, the processor is configured to automatically determine thedepth of the liquid in the drum based on at least one of the firstsignal and the second signal and to automatically determine whether aliquid withdrawal has occurred or whether changes in the first signalrepresent a non withdrawal event.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor being an air pressure sensor generating afirst signal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom ofthe drum; providing a second sensor configured to be in fluidcommunication with ambient atmosphere outside of the drum, the secondsensor being an air pressure sensor generating a second signalcorresponding to ambient pressure outside the drum; providing at leastone software module stored on a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, the software module being configured such that when operating ona processor, the processor is configured to automatically determine thedepth of the liquid in the drum based on at least one of the firstsignal and the second signal and to automatically determine whether aliquid withdrawal has occurred or whether changes in the first signalrepresent a non withdrawal event; generating the first signal at apredetermined interval and the second sensor generating the secondsignal at the predetermined interval; the processor being configured tocompile a report, the report being an average of the plurality ofreadings over a predetermined time; the processor being configured tostore at least three of the reports, the at least three reports beingthe newest at least three reports compiled; the processor beingconfigured to determine a pressure difference between at least two ofthe reports; the processor being configured to recognize the liquidwithdrawal when the pressure difference between at least two of thereports is greater than a predetermined pressure; the processor beingconfigured to determine a volume of the liquid withdrawn in the liquidwithdrawal by analyzing the total pressure difference.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor being an air pressure sensor generating afirst signal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom ofthe drum; providing a second sensor configured to be in fluidcommunication with ambient atmosphere outside of the drum, the secondsensor being an air pressure sensor generating a second signalcorresponding to ambient pressure outside the drum; generating the firstsignal at a predetermined interval and the second sensor generating thesecond signal at the predetermined interval; providing a processor beingconfigured to compile a report, the report being an average of theplurality of readings over a predetermined time; the processor beingconfigured to store at least three of the reports, the at least threereports being the newest at least three reports compiled; the processorbeing configured to determine a pressure difference between at least twoof the reports; the processor being configured to recognize a liquidwithdrawal when the pressure difference between at least two of thereports is greater than a predetermined pressure; the processor beingconfigured to determine a volume of the liquid withdrawn in the liquidwithdrawal by analyzing the total pressure difference.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor being an air pressure sensor generating afirst signal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom ofthe drum; providing a second sensor configured to be in fluidcommunication with ambient atmosphere outside of the drum, the secondsensor being an air pressure sensor generating a second signalcorresponding to ambient pressure outside the drum; providing aprocessor configured to recognize a liquid withdrawal when a change inpressure is greater than a predetermined amount; the processor beingconfigured to determine a volume of the liquid withdrawn in the liquidwithdrawal by analyzing the total pressure difference.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor being an air pressure sensor generating afirst signal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom ofthe drum; providing a processor configured to recognize a liquidwithdrawal when a change in pressure is greater than a predeterminedamount; the processor being configured to determine a volume of theliquid withdrawn in the liquid withdrawal by analyzing the totalpressure difference.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing at leastone software module stored on a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, the software module being configured such that when operating ona processor, the processor is configured to automatically determine thedepth of the liquid in the drum based on the first signal and toautomatically determine whether a liquid withdrawal has occurred orwhether changes in the first signal represent a non withdrawal event;providing a processor including the at least one software modulethereon, the processor receiving the first signal and automaticallydetermining the depth of the liquid in the drum and automaticallydetermining whether a liquid withdrawal has occurred or whether changesin the first signal represent a non withdrawal event.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor generating a first signal corresponding tothe pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum; providing at leastone software module stored on a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, the software module being configured such that when operating ona processor, the processor is configured to automatically determine thedepth of the liquid in the drum based on the first signal and toautomatically determine whether a liquid withdrawal has occurred orwhether changes in the first signal represent a non withdrawal event

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum. The method comprising the steps of: receiving datacorresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum;automatically determining the depth of the liquid in the drum based onthe data and automatically determining whether a liquid withdrawal hasoccurred or whether changes in the data represent a non withdrawalevent.

In a separate aspect, one embodiment of the present invention isdirected to providing at least one software module stored on anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, the software modulecontaining instructions operable on a processor for automaticallydetermining the depth of the liquid in a drum and to automaticallydetermining whether a liquid withdrawal has occurred or whether a nonwithdrawal event has occurred.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiment of the present invention will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawingsembodiments which are presently preferred. It is understood, however,that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a sensor apparatus in combination with asystem for use with agriculture, cleaning, and/or animal husbandryaccording to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; thesensor apparatus includes a tube having first and second ends; thesecond end of the tube is configured for placement within the liquid ofthe drum such that the second end rests against the bottom of the drum;although a preferred configuration of the seal is shown, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that theseal may be at any location in the tube spaced from the second endwithout departing from the scope of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sensor apparatus according to a firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention; the sensor apparatus mayinclude a tube having first and second ends; the second end of the tubemay be configured for placement within the liquid of the drum via a holein the top of the drum such that the second end rests against the bottomof the drum; the tube may have a seal positioned at the first end, theseal being a printed circuit board; although a preferred configurationof the seal is shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatefrom this disclosure that the seal may be at any location in the tubespaced from the second end without departing from the scope of thepresent invention; a first sensor may be located on the printed circuitboard such that the first sensor is between the printed circuit boardand the second end, and, configured to measure air pressure in the tube;the tube may have an opening located in the second end; the openingallows the liquid in the drum partially fill the tube between the secondend and the seal when the sensor apparatus is placed in the liquid; thearea of the opening may be relatively small compared to the area of thesecond end, the area of the opening may be similar to the area of thesecond end, or, the area of the opening may be any size in betweenrelatively small and similar to the area of the second end; the secondend may be irregular in shape such that positioning of the second end ona flat bottom of the drum will not prevent flow of liquid into the tube;as shown, the second end of the tube has an angled second end withrespect to the flat, horizontal bottom of the drum; although a preferredconfiguration of the second end is shown, those of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate from this disclosure that the second end may berounded, have dimples or protrusions, or be any other suitable shapewithout departing from the scope of the present invention; the tube maycontain a shield located between the second end and the seal; the shieldmay be configured to form a barrier between the first sensor and aninner surface of the tube such that a drop of the liquid is less likelyto flow down the inner surface of the tube and contact the first sensor;the shield may be further configured to leave at least one airpassageway between the first sensor and the second end so that the airpressure measurements of the first sensor are not impeded by the shield;the sensor apparatus may include a container positioned on the first endof the tube; the container may have an opening on at least one side suchthat the air pressure in the container is similar to the ambient airpressure around the drum; the container may also have a second sensortherein that is configure to measure the ambient air pressure outsidethe drum; however, the location of the second sensor may be any one ofon the first end, between the seal and the first end, in a compartmentattached to the tube, and spaced from the sensor apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention; preferably, the second sensoris located on a micro board, a printed circuit board, or the like; thefirst and second sensors may be connected by a wire to a processor, thatis shown labeled in the Figures as a control box; the processorpreferably includes a mini SD disk or the like, a battery backup or thelike, and a cellular board; the processor may be configured to compute avolume of the liquid in the drum based on the measurements of the firstsensor and the second sensor, and, also using a plurality of inputsrepresenting at least one of a dimension of the drum, a dimension of thesensor apparatus, and a specific gravity of the liquid; the processormay be configured for entry of the plurality of inputs via a remoteelectronic device; the processor may be configured to automaticallydetermine the depth of the liquid in the drum, according to:H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)), where P_(b) is the pressure in thedrum at the opening of the tube as measured by the first sensor, P_(a)is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum as measured by the secondsensor, SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of the liquid inside thedrum, H is the depth, or height, of the liquid inside the drum generallyabove the opening in the tube, PPIC is determined by((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H), where TUBE_(liquidinches) is theheight of liquid in the tube above the opening, and 249.17 is thestandard pressure exerted by a one inch column of water; the processormay be further configured to automatically determine the volume of theliquid in the drum and take into account any adjustment needed due tothe presence of the sensor apparatus therein by using the depth of theliquid in the drum and dimensions of the drum to determine an initialvolume of liquid in the drum, then the processor automatically adjuststhe initial volume of liquid in the drum to get a final volume of liquidin the drum that takes into account the sensor apparatus, according to:Vdrum-final=Vdrum-initial−((H-Dliqid-in-sensor)*A), wherein H is thedepth of liquid in the drum generally above the opening in the tube,Vdrum-final is the final volume of liquid in the drum, Vdrum-initial isthe initial volume of liquid in the drum, A is a cross sectional area ofthe tube, Dliqid-in-sensor is the depth of the liquid in the tubedetermined as follows: Dliqid-in-sensor=(L−(((Pi*Vi/Ti)*(Tf/Pf))/A)),wherein L is a length of the tube, Pi is the initial pressure in thetube prior to insertion of the tube in the liquid, Vi is the initialvolume of the tube that is calculated by the dimensions of the tube, Tiis the initial temperature of air in the tube, Pf is a pressure in thetube when the tube is submerged in the liquid as calculated by the firstsensor, and Tf is the final temperature of the air inside the tube whenthe tube is submerged; the processor may be configured to collect aplurality of usage data comprising at least one of a time and atemperature of liquid withdrawn from the drum; the processor may beconfigured to compare the plurality of usage data against a plurality ofpredetermined data and issue an alert when a discrepancy occurs; a hosethat is connected to a pump may also be placed within the drum towithdrawal liquid from the drum; the processor may be configured todetermine whether a pressure drop as measured by one of the first sensorand the first and second sensors is a withdrawal of liquid or a nonwithdrawal event; the processor may further be configured to send analert by text message if the volume of liquid withdrawn is less than apredetermined amount, thereby warning the owner or a third party thatthere is a problem with the liquid withdrawal setup;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the sensor apparatus of FIG. 2 including theouter tube; the tube may have an outer tube disposed over the tube; theouter tube having third and fourth ends and configured to withdraw theliquid from the drum when the sensor apparatus is inserted into the holein the top of the drum; at least a portion of the tube may protrude fromthe fourth end of the outer tube so that withdrawal of the liquid fromthe drum via the outer tube does not create suction that seals the outertube to a bottom of the drum; instead of a hose being inserted into thedrum, the hose may be located on the outer tube and in fluidcommunication therewith such that liquid withdrawn from the drum via theouter tube then traverses the hose; having the hose on the outer tubereduces the number of steps needed to transfer the sensor apparatus andhose to another drum since the hose and the sensor apparatus areconnected; the container that holds the second sensor and that islocated on the first end of the tube may also form a second seal betweenthe outer tube and the tube, and, the third end of the outer tube andthe atmosphere; a first area defined by an axial cross section of thefourth end of the outer tube may be greater than a second area definedby an axial cross section of the third end of the outer tube; at leastone device may be located within the fourth end and is configured toprevent the liquid in the outer tube from exiting the sensor apparatusbetween the tube and the outer tube via the fourth end when the sensorapparatus is withdrawn from the liquid in the drum; the at least onedevice may not prevent liquid from entering the outer tube through thefourth end; the second end of the tube may be located off-center in thefourth end of the outer tube in order to provide additional room for theoperation of the at least one device; the at least one device may be aduck bill valve, although, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the at least one device may be any other suitable devicewithout departing from the scope of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4; thecross section of the second end of the tube and the at least one devicecan be seen within the fourth end of the sensor apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a second preferred embodiment of the sensor apparatus; in thisembodiment, the seal may be located in the tube between the first andsecond ends; the seal may be a printed circuit board and the firstsensor may be located on the seal between the seal and the second end;however, the first sensor may be located anywhere that is in fluidcommunication with the inside of the drum without departing from thescope of the invention; the second sensor may be located between theseal and the first end of the tube; a portion of the tube between theseal and the first end may have an opening therein such that the sensoris in fluid communication with ambient pressure outside the drum;however, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that thesecond sensor may be located anywhere that allows the second sensor tobe in fluid communication with ambient pressure outside the drum, or,fluid communication with air inside the drum without departing from thescope of the present invention; the first and second sensors maygenerate first and second signals that correspond to the pressure of theliquid at the bottom of the drum and the ambient pressure outside thedrum, respectively; the first sensor may have wires that extendtherefrom that extend through the seal, the second seal, and run to thetop of the container; the second sensor may wire that extend therefromand extend through the second seal and run to the top of the container;the top of the container may have a main wire that transfers the firstand second signals from the first and second sensors to the processor;however, the first and second signals may be transferred in any suitableway without departing from the scope of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a third preferred embodiment of the sensor apparatus; in thisembodiment, the second sensor may be located spaced from the sensorapparatus and may be located on the processor;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flow chart showing a preferred method used by theprocessor for an equipment wash on a dairy farm; however, those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the method may be used forany agricultural, equipment wash, or animal husbandry system withoutdeparting from the preferred embodiment; the processor is preferablyconfigured to determine when a washing cycle has started and ended byfirst determining if the temperature recorded by a temperature sensor ona milk line has risen a predetermined number of degrees in apredetermined time period, therefore, meaning that the milking of cowsis over; if the processor has determined that the temperature of themilk line has risen a predetermined number of degrees within apredetermined time period, the processor is preferably configured tostart storing readings of the pressure measured by at least one sensorapparatus; preferably, the processor is further configured to startcompiling reports for each sensor apparatus; preferably, the processoris preferably configured to store the newest of at least two reports forevery liquid used in the washing cycle; more preferably, the processoris configured to store the newest of at least three reports for everyliquid used in the washing cycle; more preferably still, the processoris configured to store the newest five reports for every liquid used inthe washing cycle; preferably, the processor is further configured toanalyze the stored reports for each liquid; preferably, the processordetermines whether a liquid withdrawal has started in any of the liquidsused in the washing cycle; if so, the processor is preferably configuredto determine that a withdrawal of the respective liquid has juststarted; if not, the processor preferably starts the determination againwhen a new report is compiled; preferably, the processor is configuredto determine a wash cycle has begun when the processor determines thatthe first withdrawal of any of the liquids; preferably, the processorpreferably records the time that the processor determined a washingcycle has started, and, the number of washing cycles performed each day;after a liquid withdrawal has occurred for any of the liquids, theprocessor preferably is configured to determine when the liquidwithdrawal has ended for the same liquid; after determining a liquidwithdrawal for a particular liquid has ended, the processor ispreferably configured to immediately determine the pressure drop of theliquid at the bottom of the drum; subsequently, the processor ispreferably configured to determine the order that each liquid'swithdrawal ended; after the processor determines that a withdrawal hasstarted on at least one liquid, the processor may be configured to starta timer such that if the processor fails to determine that the liquidwithdrawal has ended for all liquids within a predetermined length oftime, the processor may reverse its determination that a withdrawal hastaken place; after a liquid withdrawal for each liquid has ended, and,the order in which the liquids were withdrawn has been determined, theprocessor is preferably configured to perform another check to ensure awashing cycle, and liquid withdrawals, have indeed taken place; thecheck preferably includes the processor configured to determine if atleast four of following have occurred: the processor has determined awash cycle has started, the order in which the processor determined theliquid withdrawals occurred matches the order in which the liquids areto be withdrawn that was entered into the processor, if the pressure atthe bottom of each drum has dropped by thirty or more Pascal's, if thetemperature recorded by a temperature sensor on the milk line has risenor dropped a predetermined number of degrees in a predetermined timeperiod, and if the temperature sensors on each hose are consistent withpredetermined temperatures; if at least four have occurred, theprocessor is preferably configured to confirm the washing cycle;subsequently, the processor is preferably configured to send an alert ifany data collected by the processor, such as temperature of the liquidsflowing through the hose, the time of a washing cycle, or a pressuredifferential at the bottom of the drums after a liquid withdrawal hasoccurred, is inconsistent with a plurality of predetermined data; ifless than four have occurred, the processor preferably reverses itsdetermination that the washing cycle has started; subsequently, theprocessor preferably begins analyzing the stored reports again;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a second preferred method for providing asystem for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a third preferred method for providing asystem for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are a flow chart showing a fourth preferred method forproviding a system for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a fifth preferred method for measuring adepth of a liquid in a drum used as part of a system for use in at leastone of agricultural, equipment cleaning, and animal husbandry;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a sixth preferred method for measuring adepth of a liquid in a drum used as part of a system for use in at leastone of agricultural, equipment cleaning, and animal husbandry;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a flow chart showing a seventh preferred methodfor measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum used as part of a system foruse in at least one of agricultural, equipment cleaning, and animalhusbandry;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an eighth preferred method for providinga system for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a ninth preferred method for providing asystem for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum; and

FIGS. 16A and 16B are a flow chart showing a tenth preferred method forproviding a system for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum;

FIG. 17 is a fourth preferred embodiment of the sensor apparatus; thesensor apparatus, similar to that shown in FIG. 5, may be spaced fromthe drum with a portion of the tube fixed to the drum; the second end ofthe tube may be disposed on the sidewall of the drum such that the tubeand an inside of the drum are in fluid communication; preferably, thesecond end of the tube is on a portion of the tube that is perpendicularto a vertical sidewall; those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the portion of the tube may be at any angle with respectto the vertical sidewall without departing from the scope of the presentinvention; the processor may be able to calculate the height of theliquid in the drum above the opening; preferably, the height of theliquid in the drum is from an effective location to the surface of theliquid in the drum; while the effective location of the embodimentdisclosed in FIG. 17 is located at a maximum height of the opening withrespect to the bottom of the drum, those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the effective location may be at a differentlocation and may be changed due to a change of the angle of the portionof the tube with respect to a vertical sidewall and/or the shape of theopening without departing from the scope of the present invention; theprocessor may use the height of liquid in the drum along with thedimensions of the drum to determine an initial volume of liquid in thedrum above effective location; preferably, the processor takes intoaccount the vertical distance between the effective location and thebottom of the drum in order to calculate a finial height of the liquidin the drum that can be used to calculate the total volume of liquid inthe drum, or, the processor may determine the volume of liquid below theeffective location of the drum based on the drums dimensions and addthis volume to the initial volume in the drum to calculate the totalvolume of liquid in the drum; preferably, the processor is configured todetermine the volume of liquid in the tube so that the processor maydetermine a final volume of liquid by adding the volume of liquid in thetube to the total volume of liquid in the drum; the drum may have a hoseconnected to the bottom of the drum; however, those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that the hose may be located at any point on thedrum without departing from the scope of the present invention; the hosemay be connected to a pump and configured to withdrawal liquid from thedrum; however, more sophisticated systems, such as some advancedhoofbath systems, may operate without any pump or electronics andinstead operate based on fluid pressures and vacuums in a generallyclosed circuit type of arrangement; the drum may be located on a standto give the drum more stability, especially if the drum 24 does not havea flat bottom;

FIG. 18 is view of the graphic user interface (GUI) of the processor;the GUI may be located on the processor or may be accessible online orby the use of an electronic device; the GUI preferably has the name ofthe dairy farm, or other business, at the top; under the name, the GUImay have the current date and time; below the date and time, the GUI mayhave pictures of drums showing the depth of the liquid in the drum;underneath the pictures of the drums, the GUI preferably lists theliquid in each drum along with the volume of the liquid in the drum, thepump status, and the weeks until pump failure; the GUI may indicate thatthe pump has not reached its minimum volume threshold level for a washby showing an “X” next to pump status; if the pump has met the minimumvolume threshold, the GUI may indicate the pump is okay by showing acheckmark next to pump status; to the left of the pictures of the drums,the GUI may have a contact dealer button and a contact service providerbutton that, when pressed, automatically contact the dealer and serviceprovider, respectively, either by a call, text, email, or the like; theGUI may also have a contacts button that allows a user to view andcontact all stored contacts; at the bottom of the GUI may be a bunch ofbuttons such as buttons that may allow a user to view valve status, viewcurrent alerts, view wash history, view alert and reply history,maintenance log, and a button to stop wash immediately; however those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the GUI may include anysuitable data, information, artwork, phrases, numbers, words, letters,or the like, in any arrangement without departing from the scope of theinvention;

FIGS. 19A1-19A3, 19B-190, 19P1-19P4, and 19Q are a preferred schematicfor the processor;

FIGS. 19AA1-19AA3, 19BB-19OO, 19PP1-19PP4, and 19QQ are a secondpreferred schematic for the processor;

FIG. 20 is a preferred schematic for the first sensor;

FIGS. 21A-21N are a preferred schematic for the second sensor ormicroprocessor that the second sensor is located on;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating one preferred method for providing asensor apparatus for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum above aninitial drum liquid height.

FIG. 23 is a screenshot of a sample GUI showing text messages betweenthe processor and a person; a person may ask the processor a textinquiry and the processor may send a text inquiry reply answering thetext inquiry; a person may ask the processor to send a text inquiryreply related to certain information pertaining to the liquid in thedrum, such as, the volume of liquid in each drum, the temperature of theliquids in each drum, etc.; also shown is a text alert from theprocessor; shown is a text alert informing at least one predeterminedperson that a liquid did not dispense during a wash. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that similarerror, inquiry, reply, and reminder messages or the like can becommunicated via voice simulation and voice recognition or any othersuitable communications means without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The term “fluid communication between A and B”means that A and B are located such that a fluid, such as air or liquid,may flow from A to B. For example, A and B are in fluid communication ifA and B are sitting on an empty desk since air may freely flow from A toB. As another example, A and B may be in fluid communication with eachother if A is sitting on a desk and B is located in a box containing ahole on the desk since air can still flow from A into the box, via thehole, to B. As yet another example, A and B may not be in fluidcommunication if A is sitting on a desk and B is located in an airtightbox on the desk since air may not be able to flow from A into the box.The term “electronic device” refers to any device that manipulateselectron flow for its operation, such as, a cell phone, tablet, deviceconnected via the Internet, smart phone, keypad, computer, or the like.The word “drum” as used in the claims and in associated portions of thespecification, means “any object configured to hold liquid therein suchas a drum, barrel, tote, tub, tank, bath, holding tank, container, vat,and/or the like”. The language “at least one of ‘A’, B′, and ‘C’,” asused in the claims and/or in corresponding portions of thespecification, means “any group having at least one ‘A’; or any grouphaving at least one ‘B’; or any group having at least one ‘C’;—and doesrequire that a group have at least one of each of ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’.”Additionally, the words “a” and “one” are defined as including one ormore of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Theterminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivativesthereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, wherein like numerals indicate like elementsthroughout, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a sensor apparatus20 for measuring a depth of a liquid 22 in a drum 24. The sensorapparatus 20 preferably includes a tube 26 that has first and secondends 28A, 28B wherein the second end 28B may be configured for placementwithin the liquid 22. While the tube 26 preferably has a circularcross-section when taken generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axisthereof, Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from thisdisclosure that the tube cross section can be triangular, square,polygonal, irregular, or the like without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

The sensor apparatus 20 may be configured for insertion into the liquid22 via a hole 42 in a top 40 of the drum 24. It is preferable, althoughnot required, that the second end 28B be configured to rest against thebottom of the drum 24. The second end 28B may have an opening 36 thereinto let liquid 22 in the drum 24 partially fill the tube 26 when thesecond end 28B is placed within the liquid 22 in the drum 24. To assureflow of liquid 22 into the tube 26 through the opening 36 in the secondend 28B, the second end 28B may be irregular in shape such thatpositioning of the second end 28B on a flat bottom of the drum 24 willnot prevent flow of liquid 22 into the tube 26. Said another way, thesurface of the second end 28B of the tube 26 may have a differentcontour than the bottom of the bottom of the drum 24 such that when thesecond end 28B is resting on the bottom of the drum 24, at least aportion of the second end 28B is not in contact with the bottom of thedrum 24. While the opening 36 in the preferred embodiment has an areasimilar to the area of the second end 28B, those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate from this disclosure that the area of theopening 36 may be any value smaller than the area of the second end 28Bwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. Those ofordinary skill in the art will also appreciate from this disclosure thatthe second end 28B may have multiple openings therein without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in theart will also appreciate from this disclosure that the opening 36 maynot be in the second end 28B, but may be located on a portion of thetube 26 spaced from the second end 28B without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a seal 30 may be positioned in the tube 26and spaced from the second end 28B. The seal 30 preferably is anair-tight seal. Preferably, the seal 30 is located on the first end 28Aof the tube 26. However, as seen in FIG. 5, the seal 30 may bepositioned between the first and second ends 28A, 28B of the tube 26. Inthe preferred embodiment, the seal 30 is a printed circuit board thatforms an air-tight seal, however, the seal 30 may be any suitablematerial without departing from the scope of the invention.

The sensor apparatus 20 preferably includes a first sensor 32A locatedbetween the second end 28B and the seal 30 to measure the air pressureof the tube 26 between the seal 30 and the second end 28B. While thepreferred embodiment has the first sensor 32A connected to the seal 30,the first sensor 32A may be located at any location such that the firstsensor 32A is in fluid communication with the air in the tube 26 betweenthe seal 30 and the second end 28B. Referring to FIG. 20, a preferredschematic of the first sensor 500 is shown. The illustrated schematicfor the first sensor 500 is exemplary only. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate from this disclosure that any suitablecircuit(s) can be used without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor apparatus 20 may include ashield 38 located between the second end 28B and the seal 30. The shield38 is preferably configured to form a barrier between the first sensor32A and an inner surface of the tube 26 such that, when the sensorapparatus 20 is laid on its side or transported to another location, adrop of liquid 22 is less likely to flow along the inner surface of thetube 26 and contact the first sensor 32A. While the preferred embodimentof the sensor apparatus 20 has a conically shaped shield 38 extendingfrom the first end 28A of the tube 26, those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the shield 38 can have any suitable shape thatimpedes the flow of liquid 22 down the inner surface of the tube 26without departing from the scope of the invention. Preferably, but notnecessarily, the shield 38 is configured to leave at least one airpassageway 52 between the first sensor 32A and the second end 28B sothat the air pressure measurements of the first sensor 32A are notaltered by the shield 38.

The sensor apparatus 20 may also include, but is not required toinclude, a second sensor 32B that is configured to measure atmosphericpressure outside the drum 24 or the pressure of the air inside the drum24 and above the liquid 22. While the preferred embodiment shows thesecond sensor 32B located in container 50 attached to the first end 28Aof the tube 26, the second sensor 32B may be located at any one of onthe first end 28A, between the seal 30 and the first end 28A, in acompartment attached to the tube 26, and spaced from the sensorapparatus 20 without departing from the scope of the invention. Thesecond sensor is preferably located on a microprocessor that is inelectronic communication with the second sensor and the first sensor.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosurethat instead of the second sensor, an assumed atmospheric pressure valuecan be used, a general pressure reading provided by an online, cellular,televised, or physical paper news source can be used without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 21A-21N, apreferred schematic of the second sensor or the microprocessor that thesecond sensor is located on 600A, 600B, and 600C is shown. Theillustrated schematic for the second circuit 600A, 600B, 600C isexemplary only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate fromthis disclosure that any suitable circuit(s) can be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the sensor apparatus 20 may include an outertube 44 disposed over the tube 26 wherein the outer tube 44 has thirdand fourth ends 46A, 46B and may be configured to withdraw liquid 22from the drum 24 when the sensor apparatus 20 is inserted into the hole42 in the top 40 of the drum 24. The outer tube 44 may be, but need notbe, sealed to the tube 26 at a location on the tube 26 spaced from thesecond end 28B. At least a portion of the tube 26 may protrude from thefourth end 46B of the outer tube 44 so that withdrawal of the liquid 22from the drum 24 via the outer tube 44 does not create suction thatseals the outer tube 44 to a bottom of the drum 24. A hose 48 may belocated on, or connected to, the outer tube 44 and in fluidcommunication therewith such that liquid 22 withdrawn from the drum 24via the outer tube 44 then traverses the hose 48. The hose 48 may beconnected to a pump 54 in order to create the pressure differentialneeded for the outer tube 44 to withdrawal liquid 22 from the drum 24.The outer tube 44 may have a protrusion extending therefrom that theouter tube 44 may be located on, or connected to. However, those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that thehose 48 may be connected to the outer tube 44 in any suitable way, or atany location on the outer tube 44, location without departing from thescope of the invention. A first area defined by an axial cross sectionof the fourth end 46B of the outer tube 44 may be greater than a secondarea defined by an axial cross section of the third end 46A of the outertube 44. At least one device 68 may be located within the fourth end 46Band configured to prevent the liquid 22 in the outer tube 44 fromexiting the sensor apparatus 20 between the tube 26 and the outer tube44 via the fourth end 46B when the sensor apparatus 20 is withdrawn fromthe liquid 22 in the drum 24. The at least one device 68 allows thesensor apparatus 20 to be withdrawn from the drum 24 and placed back inthe liquid 22 in the drum 24, or another drum, without having tore-prime the outer tube 44 in order for the pump 54 to functionproperly. The at least one device 68 preferably allows the liquid 22 toentering the outer tube 44 through the fourth end 46B. The at least onedevice 68 may be a duck bill valve. However, those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the one device 68 may be any suitable devicewithout departing from the scope of the invention. As best shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the second end 28B of the tube 26 may located off-centerin the fourth end 46B of the outer tube 44 in order to provideadditional room for the operation of the at least one device 68. Duckbill valves, and other similar devices, may not work properly if theycontact other instruments or parts. Therefore, the additional roomcreated by locating the second end 28B off-center in the fourth end 46Bof the outer tube 44 may allow the at least one device 68 to functionunimpeded. The use of the at least one device 68 provides the advantageof preventing liquid from draining out of the sensor apparatus andconnected hose when the sensor apparatus is removed from the drum. Thisfacilitates use of the sensor apparatus with pumps that are not selfpriming.

A container 50 is preferably, but not necessarily, positioned on thefirst end 28A of the tube 26. As described above, the container 50preferably, but not necessarily, contains the second sensor 32B. Thecontainer 50 may have a second opening 64 therein in to allow the secondsensor 32B to be in fluid communication with the ambient air outside thedrum 24. The second opening 64 may be relatively small compared to aside of the container 50, however, those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that there may be one or more openings that may be anysize in relation to the container 50 without departing from the scope ofthe invention. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, if the second sensor 32B is ina location other than the container 50, or there is no second sensor inthe sensor apparatus 20, the container 50 need not have an openingthereon. As best seen in FIG. 5, if the second sensor 32B is located inthe tube 26 between the first end 28A and the seal 30, the tube 26 mayhave a third opening 66 therein such that the second sensor 32B is influid communication with the ambient air outside the drum 24, or, theair inside the drum 24. The container 50 on the first end 28A of thetube 26 may form a second seal 62 between the outer tube 44 and the tube26, and, the third end 46A of the outer tube 44 and the atmosphere. Itis preferable that that the third end 46A of the outer tube 44 be sealedoff from the atmosphere so that the pump 54 may function properly.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second sensors 32A, 32B may bein electronic communication with a processor 34. The first and secondsensors 32A, 32B may be electrically connected to a cable 56 located ontop of the container 50. As seen in FIG. 5, the first sensor 32A mayhave at least one wire 58 extending therefrom that extends through theseal 30, through the first end 28A, and connected to the second sensor32B, or alternatively, the microprocessor. The second sensor 32B mayhave at least one wire 60 that extends to the top of the container 50.Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the top of the container 50 may beconfigured for the installation of an Ethernet jack, or the like,therein that may be configured for insertion of an Ethernet cable 56, orthe like. The cable 56 may extend from the top of the container 50 mayelectrically connect the first and second sensors 32A, 32B to theprocessor 34. Alternatively, communications via the first or secondsensor and a processor can be accomplished wirelessly or by any othersuitable method. In some instances the processor referred to in thedrawings may actually be a user's cell phone or computer that isconnected via the Internet, wirelessly, or via a wifi network to thesensors. Alternatively, data can be stored on the sensor apparatus andmanually withdrawn for analysis. At least one of the cable 56 and thecontainer 50 may have a predetermined color such that if multiple sensorapparatus's are being used and connected to the same processor 34, itwould be easy for a user to determine the cable 56 connected to aspecific sensor apparatus 20. Although, those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize from this disclosure that the first and secondsensors 32A, 32B may be electrically connected to the processor 34 inany suitable way without departing from the scope of the invention.Referring to FIGS. 19A1-19A3, 19B-190, 19P1-19P4, and 19Q, a preferredschematic of the processor 300A, 300B is shown. The preferred schematicof the processor 300A, 300B discloses a four channel controller.Referring to FIGS. 19AA1-19AA3, 19BB-19OO, 19PP1-19PP4, and 19QQ, asecond preferred schematic of the processor 400A, 400B is shown. Thesecond preferred schematic of the processor 400A, 400B discloses a sixchannel controller. The illustrated schematics for the processor 300A,300B, 300C, 300D are exemplary only. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate from this disclosure that any suitable circuit(s) can beused without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The processor 34 may be configured to compute a volume of the liquid 22in the drum 24 based on the measurements of the first sensor 32A and thesecond sensor 32B, and, also using a plurality of inputs representing atleast one of a dimension of the drum 24, a dimension of the sensorapparatus 20, and a specific gravity of the liquid 22. The processor 34may be configured for entry of the plurality of inputs via a remoteelectronic device. The remote electronic device may be a cell phone, acomputer, a tablet, a website, or any other suitable way. The processor34 may be configured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid22 in the drum 24, according to: H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)),wherein P_(b) is the pressure in the drum 24 at the opening 36 of thetube 26 as measured by the first sensor 32A, P_(a) is the atmosphericpressure outside the drum 24 as measured by the second sensor 32B,SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of the liquid inside the drum 24, His the depth, or height, of the liquid inside the drum 24 above theopening 36, PPIC is determined by ((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H),TUBE_(liquidinches), or TL in the Figures, is the height of liquid 22 inthe tube above the opening 36, and 249.17 Pascals is the standardpressure exerted by a one inch column of water. however Those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that theprecise pressure of one inch of water may vary due to circumstancewithout departing from the scope of the present invention. The processor34 may be further configured to automatically determine the volume ofthe liquid 22 in the drum 24 and take into account any adjustment neededdue to the presence of the sensor apparatus 20 therein. By using thedepth of the liquid 22 in the drum 24 and the dimensions of the drum 24to determine an initial volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24, theprocessor 34 may automatically adjust the initial volume of liquid 22 inthe drum 24 to get a final volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24 that takesinto account the sensor apparatus 20, according to:Vdrum-final=Vdrum-initial−((H-Dliquid-in-sensor)*A), wherein H is thedepth of liquid in the drum 24; Vdrum-final is the final volume ofliquid in the drum; Vdrum-initial is the initial volume of liquid in thedrum 24; A is a cross sectional area of the tube 26; Dliquid-in-sensoris the depth of the liquid in the tube 26 generally above the opening inthe tube determined as follows:Dliquid-in-sensor=(L−(((Pi*Vi/Ti)*(Tf/Pf)/A)), wherein L is a length ofthe tube 26; Pi is the initial pressure in the tube 26 prior toinsertion of the tube 26 in the liquid; Vi is the initial volume of thetube 26 that is calculated by the dimensions of the tube 26; Ti is theinitial temperature of air in the tube 26; Pf is a pressure in the tube26 when the tube 26 is submerged in the liquid as calculated by thefirst sensor 32A; and Tf is the final temperature of the air inside thetube 26 when the tube 26 is submerged.

While a preferred method of calculating liquid volumes and heights isdisclosed above, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate fromthis disclosure that any other suitable calculation method or system canbe used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The processor 34 may be configured to collect a plurality of usage datacomprising at least one of a time and a temperature of liquid 22withdrawn from the drum 24. However other usage data may be collectedsuch as duration of the withdrawal of liquid 22 from the drum 24, and,total volume of liquid 22 withdrawn from the drum 24 without departingfrom the scope of the invention. The processor 34 may further beconfigured to compare the plurality of usage data against a plurality ofpredetermined data and issue an alert when a discrepancy occurs. Thealert may be issued by any electronic means, such as a text, a phonecall, an email, an alarm or any audible sound, a flashing light or anyvisual alert, or any other suitable way.

FIG. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of the sensor apparatus 20. Thesensor apparatus 20, similar to that shown in FIG. 5, may be spaced fromthe drum 24 with the second end 28B of the tube 26 preferably disposedon the sidewall 24A of the drum 24 such that the tube 26 and an insideof the drum are in fluid communication. Said another way, the tube 26 isnot located in, or configured for placement in, the drum 24. Instead,the tube 26 may be attached, or detachably connected, to a sidewall 24Aof the drum 24. Preferably, the second end of the tube is on a portion28D of the tube 26 that is perpendicular to a vertical sidewall 24A.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the portion 28Dof the tube 26 may be at any angle with respect to the vertical sidewall24A without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The processor 34 may be able to calculate the height H of the liquid 22in the drum above the opening 36. Preferably, the height H of the liquid22 in the drum 24 is from an effective location 28C to the surface ofthe liquid 22 in the drum 24. While the effective location 28C of theembodiment disclosed in FIG. 17 is located at a maximum height of theopening 36 with respect to the bottom of the drum 40A, those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the effective location 28C may beat a different location and may be changed due to a change of the angleof the portion 28D of the tube 26 with respect to a vertical sidewall24A and/or the shape of the opening 36 without departing from the scopeof the present invention. The processor 34 may use the height H ofliquid 22 in the drum 24 along with the dimensions of the drum 24 todetermine an initial volume of liquid in the drum above the opening 36.Preferably, the processor 34 takes into account the initial liquidheight ILH, which is the vertical distance between the effective height28C and the bottom of the drum 40A in order to calculate a finial heightof the liquid 22 in the drum 24 that can be used to calculate the totalvolume of liquid 22 in the drum 24. Alternatively, the processor 34 maydetermine, or the information be inputted, the volume of liquid 22 belowthe effective height 28C, and, add this volume to the initial volume inthe drum 24 to calculate the total volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24.Preferably, the processor 34 is configured to determine the volume ofliquid in the tube to further determine a final volume of liquid byadding the volume of liquid in the tube to the total volume of liquid inthe drum.

The drum 24 may be located on a stand 24B to give the drum morestability, especially if the drum 24 does not have a flat bottom 40A.The drum 24 may have a hose 48 connected to the bottom of the drum 24that may pass through the stand 24B. However, those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that the hose 48 may be located at any point onthe drum 24 without departing from the scope of the present invention.The hose 48 may be connected to a pump 54 and configured to withdrawalliquid 22 from the drum 24. However, more sophisticated systems, such assome advanced hoofbath systems, may operate without any pump 54 orelectronics and instead operate based on fluid pressures and vacuums ina generally closed circuit type of arrangement. This type of advancedhoofbath system is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,821 which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

Preferred implementations of preferred methods of the present inventionwill be described below (alone or in combination with variousembodiments of the sensor apparatus 20). The steps of the method of thepresent invention can be performed in any order, omitted, or combinedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. As such,optional or required steps described in conjunction with oneimplementation of the method can also be used with anotherimplementation or omitted altogether. Additionally, unless otherwisestated, similar structure or functions described in conjunction with thebelow method preferably, but not necessarily, operate in a generallysimilar manner to that described elsewhere in this application.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, one method according to the present inventionis directed to a method of providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid 22 in a drum 24. The method preferably includes providing a firstsensor 32A configured to be located in fluid communication with aninside of the drum 24. The first sensor 32A preferably is an airpressure sensor that generates a first signal corresponding to thepressure of the liquid 22 at a bottom of the drum 24. The methodpreferably includes the step of providing a second sensor 32B that isconfigured to be in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere outsideof the drum 24. Wherein the second sensor 32B may be an air pressuresensor that generates a second signal corresponding to ambient pressureoutside the drum 24. The method may include the step of providing a tube26 having a first end and a second end 28A, 28B, wherein the second end28B is configured for placement within the liquid 22. The tube 26 mayinclude a seal 30 positioned in the tube 26 and spaced from the secondend 28B, wherein the first sensor 32A is configured to be locatedbetween the seal 30 and the second end 28B. The method may include thestep of configuring the second sensor 32B to be located at any one of onthe first end 28A of the tube 26, between the seal 30 and the first end,in a compartment attached to the tube 26, and spaced from the system.The method may include the step of providing an opening 36 located inthe second end 28B of the tube 26 and configured to let the liquid 22 inthe drum 24 partially fill the tube 26 between the second end 28B andthe seal 30. The method may include the step of providing a shield 38configured to be located between the second end 28B and the seal 30,wherein the is preferably configured to form a barrier between the firstsensor 32A and an inner surface of the tube 26 such that a drop of theliquid 22 is less likely to flow down the inner surface of the tube 26and contact the first sensor 32A. The method may further comprise anouter tube 44 having third and fourth ends 46A, 46B disposed over thetube 26 and configured to withdraw the liquid 22 from the drum 24 whenthe system is inserted into a hole 42 in a top 40 of the drum 24. Thethird end 46A of the outer tube 44 may be sealed to the tube 26 at alocation on the tube 26 spaced from the second end 28B. The method mayinclude a container 50 positioned on the first end 28A of the tube 26,wherein, the container 50 houses the second sensor 32B therein and formsa second seal 62 between the outer tube 44 and the tube 26, and, thethird end 46A of the outer tube 44 and the atmosphere. The method maycomprise placing at least one device 68 within the fourth end 46B suchthat the at least one device 68 preferably is designed to prevent theliquid 22 in the outer tube 44 from exiting the system between the tube26 and the outer tube 44 via the fourth end 46B when the sensorapparatus 20 is withdrawn from the liquid 22 in the drum 24. Preferably,the at least one device 68 is configured to allow the liquid 22 to enterthe outer tube 44 through the fourth end 46B. The method may comprise ofconfiguring at least a portion of the tube 26 to protrude from thefourth end 46B of the outer tube 44 so that withdrawal of the liquid 22from the drum 24 via the outer tube 44 does not create suction thatseals the outer tube 44 to a bottom of the drum 24. The methodpreferably includes the step of providing a at least one software modulestored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, thesoftware module being configured such that when operating on a processor34, the processor 34 is configured to automatically determine the depthof the liquid 22 in the drum 24 based on at least one of the firstsignal and the second signal. The module may be provided via dvd, on aprocessor, or via electronic download or the like. The method mayprovide the step of providing a processor 34 including the at least onesoftware module thereon, wherein the processor 34 is configured toautomatically determine at least the depth of the liquid 22 in the drum24 based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal. Theprovided processor may be that already owned by a user of the invention.This would enable a first sensor to be properly positioned in the drumand have electronic signals transferred to a computer on which therequisite software module is downloaded without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, a view of the graphic user interface (GUI) 200 ofthe processor 34 is shown. The GUI 200 may be located on the processor34 or may be accessible online or by the use of an electronic device.The GUI 200 preferably has the name of the dairy farm 202, or otherbusiness, at the top. Under the name 202, the GUI 200 may have thecurrent date 204 and the current time 206. Below the date and time 204,206, the GUI 200 may have pictures of drums 208 showing the depth of theliquid 210 in the drum 208. Underneath the pictures of the drums 208,the GUI 200 preferably lists the type of liquid 212 in each drum, thevolume of the liquid 214 in the drum, the pump status 216, and the weeksuntil pump failure 222. The GUI 200 may indicate that the pump has notreached its minimum volume threshold level for a wash by showing an “X”220 next to pump status 216. If the pump has met the minimum volumethreshold, the GUI 200 may indicate the pump is okay by showing acheckmark 218 next to pump status 216. To the left of the pictures ofthe drums 208, the GUI 200 may have a contact dealer 224 button and acontact service provider button 226 that, when pressed, automaticallycontact the dealer and service provider, respectively, either by a call,text, email, or the like. The GUI 200 may also have a contacts button228 that allows a user to view and contact all stored contacts. At thebottom of the GUI 200 may be a bunch of buttons such as buttons that mayallow a user to view valve status 230, view current alerts 236, viewwash history 230, view alert and reply history 238, maintenance log 240,and a button to stop wash immediately 234. However those of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the GUI 200 may include anysuitable data, information, artwork, phrases, numbers, words, letters,or the like, in any arrangement without departing from the scope of theinvention.

The method may include the step of configuring the processor 34 toreceive a plurality of inputs representing at least one of a dimensionof the drum 24, a dimension of the sensor apparatus 20, and a specificgravity of the liquid 22 for use in computing a volume of the liquid 22in the drum 24. The method may include the step of configuring theprocessor 34 to subtract the ambient pressure outside the drum 24 fromthe pressure of the liquid 22 at a bottom of the drum 24. The method mayinclude the step of configuring the processor 34 such that the pluralityof inputs may be entered via a remote electronic device. The method mayinclude the step of configuring the processor 34 to automaticallydetermine the depth of the liquid 22 in the drum 24 according to:H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)), wherein P_(b) is the pressure in thedrum 24 at the opening 36 of the tube 26 as measured by the first sensor32A, P_(a) is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum 24 as measuredby the second sensor 32B, SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of theliquid inside the drum 24, H is the depth, or height, of the liquidinside the drum 24 and above the opening 36, PPIC is determined by((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H), where TUBE_(liquidinches) is theheight of liquid in the tube above the opening 36, and 249.17 is thestandard pressure exerted by a one inch column of water. The method mayinclude the step of configuring the processor 34 to automaticallydetermining the volume of the liquid in the drum 24 and taking intoaccount any adjustment needed due to the presence of the tube 26 thereinby using the depth of the liquid in the drum 24 and dimensions of thedrum 24 to determine an initial volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24, thenthe processor 34 automatically adjusts the initial volume of liquid 22in the drum 24 to get a final volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24 thattakes into account the tube 26, according to:Vdrum-final=Vdrum-initial−((H-Dliquid-in-sensor)*A), wherein H is thedepth of liquid in the drum 24; Vdrum-final is the final volume ofliquid in the drum 24; Vdrum-initial is the initial volume of liquid inthe drum 24; A is a cross sectional area of the tube 26;Dliquid-in-sensor is the depth of the liquid in the tube 26 determinedas follows: Dliquid-in-sensor=(L−(((Pi*Vi/Ti)*(Tf/Pf))/A)), wherein L isa length of the tube 26; Pi is the initial pressure in the tube 26 priorto insertion of the tube 26 in the liquid; Vi is the initial volume ofthe tube 26 that is calculated by the dimensions of the tube 26; Ti isthe initial temperature of air in the tube 26; Pf is a pressure in thetube 26 when the tube 26 is submerged in the liquid as calculated by thefirst sensor 32A; and Tf is the final temperature of the air inside thetube 26 when the tube 26 is submerged. Those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the above formulas may be modified, or otherformulas used in replace, without departing from the scope of theinvention. The method may include the step of configuring the processor34 to collect a plurality of usage data comprising at least one of atime, a temperature of liquid, and a volume of liquid withdrawn from thedrum 24. The method may include the step of configuring the processor 34to compare the plurality of usage data against a plurality ofpredetermined data and issue an alert when a discrepancy occurs.Although the first and second sensors are preferably air pressuresensors, one ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from thisdisclosure that any other suitable sensor may be used without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, one method according to the present inventionis directed to a method for measuring a depth of a liquid 22 in a drum24 used as part of a system for use in at least one of agricultural,equipment cleaning, and animal husbandry. The method preferably includesproviding the drum 24 configured to contain the liquid 22 used in thesystem. Preferably, the drum 24 is cylindrically shaped, however, thedrum 24 may be of any shape or dimensions without departing from thescope of the invention. The method preferably includes providing a firstsensor 32A located in fluid communication with an inside of the drum 24,the first sensor 32A being an air pressure sensor generating a firstsignal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid 22 at a bottom of thedrum 24. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that thefirst sensor 32A may generate a first signal corresponding to thepressure of the liquid 22 at any predetermined or known distance fromthe bottom of the drum 24 without departing from the scope of theinvention. The method preferable includes providing a second sensor 32Bin fluid communication with ambient atmosphere outside of the drum 24,the second sensor 32B being an air pressure sensor generating a secondsignal corresponding to ambient pressure outside the drum 24. Those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that anytype of sensor can or other suitable device can be used as the first orsecond sensor without departing from the scope of the present invention.Similarly, the second sensor can be omitted entirely without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. Alternatively, the secondsensor 32B may be in fluid communication with air inside the drum 24. Aspreviously discussed, the second sensor 32B may be provided in order toobtain more accurate calculations of the depth of the liquid 22 in thedrum 24 by accounting for changes in pressure due to changes theatmospheric pressure or by wind gusts, etc. As such, those of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the method does not need to providea second sensor or second signal. The method may include the step ofproviding a tube 26 having a first end and a second end 28A, 28B,wherein the second end 28B may be configured for placement within theliquid 22. The method may include an outer tube 44 having third andfourth ends 46A, 46B disposed over the tube 26, wherein the outer tube44 is configured to withdraw the liquid 22 from the drum 24 when thetube 26 is inserted into a hole 42 in a top 40 of the drum 24. Themethod preferably includes the step of determining the depth of theliquid 22 in the drum 24 based on at least one of the first signal andthe second signal. This step may further comprise of providing at leastone software module stored on a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, the software module being configured such that when operating ona processor 34, the processor 34 is configured to automaticallydetermine the depth of the liquid 22 in the drum 24 based on at leastone of the first signal and the second signal. The method may includethe step of providing a processor 34 including the at least one softwaremodule thereon, wherein the processor 34 automatically determines thedepth of the liquid 22 in the drum 24 based on at least one of the firstsignal and the second signal. This step may further include theprocessor 34 being configured to receive a plurality of inputsrepresenting at least one of a dimension of the drum 24, a dimension ofthe sensor apparatus 20, and a specific gravity of the liquid 22 for usein computing a volume of the liquid 22 in the drum 24. This step mayfurther include the processor 34 being configured to subtract theambient pressure outside the drum 24 from the pressure of the liquid 22at a bottom of the drum 24. This step may further include the processor34 being configured for entry of the plurality of inputs via a remoteelectronic device. This step may further include the processor 34 beingconfigured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid 22 in thedrum 24 according to: H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)), wherein P_(b)is the pressure in the drum 24 at the opening 36 of the tube 26 asmeasured by the first sensor 32A, P_(a) is the atmospheric pressureoutside the drum 24 as measured by the second sensor 32B, SG_(liquid) isthe specific gravity of the liquid inside the drum 24, H is the depth,or height, of the liquid inside the drum 24 and above the opening 36,PPIC is determined by ((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H), whereTUBE_(liquidinches) is the height of liquid in the tube above theopening 36, and 249.17 is the standard pressure exerted by a one inchcolumn of water. This step may further include the processor 34automatically determining a volume of the liquid in the drum 24 andtaking into account any adjustment needed due to the presence of thetube 26 therein by using the depth of the liquid in the drum 24 anddimensions of the drum 24 to determine an initial volume of liquid inthe drum 24, then the processor 34 automatically adjusts the initialvolume of liquid in the drum 24 to get a final volume of liquid in thedrum 24 that takes into account the tube 26, according to:Vdrum-final=Vdrum-initial−((H-Dliquid-in-sensor)*A), wherein H is thedepth of liquid in the drum; Vdrum-final is the final volume of liquidin the drum; Vdrum-initial is the initial volume of liquid in the drum24; A is a cross sectional area of the tube 26; Dliquid-in-sensor is thedepth of the liquid in the tube 26 determined as follows:Dliquid-in-sensor=(L−(((Pi*Vi/Ti)*(Tf/Pf)/A)), wherein L is a length ofthe tube 26; Pi is the initial pressure in the tube 26 prior toinsertion of the tube 26 in the liquid; Vi is the initial volume of thetube 26 that is calculated by the dimensions of the tube 26; Ti is theinitial temperature of air in the tube 26; Pf is a pressure in the tube26 when the tube 26 is submerged in the liquid as calculated by thefirst sensor 32A; and Tf is the final temperature of the air inside thetube 26 when the tube 26 is submerged. This step may further include theprocessor 34 being configured to collect a plurality of usage datacomprising at least one of a time, a temperature, and the volume ofliquid 22 withdrawn from the drum 24. This step may further include theprocessor 34 being configured to compare the plurality of usage dataagainst a plurality of predetermined data and issue an alert when adiscrepancy occurs. The step of providing the drum 24 may include thesystem being a dairy wash system that is configured to use the liquid 22in the drum 24. The dairy wash system may perform a predetermined numberof washes, wherein the dairy wash system only withdraws liquid 22 fromthe drum 24 during a wash. The step of providing the processor 34 mayalso include the processor 34 being configured to determine when thewash is taking place and when the wash is completed by analyzing thefirst and second signals. The step of providing the processor 34 mayfurther include the processor 34 being configured to determine a volumeof liquid 22 used during the wash. The step of providing the processor34 may further include the processor 34 being configured to send analert if the volume of liquid 22 used during the wash is lower than apredetermined volume, or, if the volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24 isbelow a predetermined minimum volume. A person of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that a wash may use multiple liquids that are inmultiple drums. As such, each liquid, or drum, may include theaforementioned method. A person of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that at least one processor 34 may be used to measure thedepth of liquid and/or a volume of liquid 22 in each drumsimultaneously. A person of ordinary skill in the art will furtherrecognize that a wash may use multiple liquids at the same time, or atdifferent times, and the processor 34 may be configured to determinewhether a wash has occurred by analyzing at least one of: a change indepth of at least one liquid, a change in volume of at least one liquid,an order for which each of the liquids was withdrawn, a time ofwithdrawal of at least one liquid, a duration of withdrawal of at leastone liquid, a temperature of at least one liquid, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, one method according to the present inventionis directed to a method for providing a system for measuring a depth ofa liquid 22 in a drum 24. The method preferably includes the step ofproviding a first sensor 32A configured to be located in fluidcommunication with an inside of the drum 24, wherein the first sensor32A may be an air pressure sensor that generates a first signalcorresponding to the pressure of the liquid 22 at a bottom of the drum24. The method preferable includes the step of providing a second sensor32B configured to be in fluid communication with ambient atmosphereoutside of the drum 24, wherein the second sensor 32B may be an airpressure sensor that generates a second signal corresponding to ambientpressure outside the drum 24. The method may include the step ofproviding a tube 26 having a first end and a second end 28A, 28B,wherein the second end 28B may be configured for placement within theliquid 22. The step of providing the tube 26 may further include anouter tube 44 having third and fourth ends 46A, 46B and configured to bedisposed over the tube 26, wherein the outer tube 44 may be configuredto withdraw the liquid 22 from the drum 24 when the system is insertedinto a hole 42 in a top 40 of the drum 24. The method preferablyincludes the step of providing at least one software module stored on anon-transitory computer readable storage medium. The software module maybe configured such that when operating on a processor 34, the processor34 is configured to automatically determine the depth of the liquid 22in the drum 24 based on at least one of the first signal and the secondsignal and to automatically determine whether a liquid 22 withdrawal hasoccurred or whether changes in the first signal represent anon-withdrawal event. A withdrawal event is when liquid from the drum ispurposefully being withdrawn. A non withdrawal event can be any eventthat changes pressure in the drum, but is not actually a purposefulliquid withdrawal, such as a jostling of the drum, knocking of thesensor apparatus, a strong wind, sudden change in temperature from hailor other weather, or the like.

The method may comprise the step of providing a processor 34 thatincludes the at least one software module thereon, wherein the processor34 receives the first and second signals and automatically determinesthe depth of the liquid 22 in the drum 24 and automatically determineswhether a liquid 22 withdrawal has occurred or whether changes in thefirst signal represent a non-withdrawal event. This step may furtherinclude the processor 34 being configured to receive a plurality ofinputs representing at least one of a dimension of the drum 24, adimension of the sensor apparatus 20, and a specific gravity of theliquid 22 for use in computing a volume of the liquid 22 in the drum 24.This step may further include the processor 34 being configured tosubtract the ambient pressure outside the drum 24 from the pressure ofthe liquid 22 at a bottom of the drum 24. This step may further includethe processor 34 being configured for entry of the plurality of inputsvia a remote electronic device. This step may further include theprocessor 34 being configured to automatically determine the depth ofthe liquid 22 in the drum 24 according to:H=(P_(b)−P_(a))/(PPIC*SG_(liquid)), wherein P_(b) is the pressure in thedrum 24 at the opening 36 of the tube 26 as measured by the first sensor32A, P_(a) is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum 24 as measuredby the second sensor 32B, SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of theliquid inside the drum 24, H is the depth, or height, of the liquidinside the drum 24 and above the opening 36, PPIC is determined by((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H), where TUBE_(liquidinches) is theheight of liquid in the tube above the opening 36, and 249.17 is thestandard pressure exerted by a one inch column of water. This step mayfurther include the processor 34 automatically determining a volume ofthe liquid 22 in the drum 24 and taking into account any adjustmentneeded due to the presence of the tube 26 therein by using the depth ofthe liquid 22 in the drum 24 and dimensions of the drum 24 to determinean initial volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24, then the processor 34automatically adjusts the initial volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24 toget a final volume of liquid 22 in the drum 24 that takes into accountthe tube 26, according to:Vdrum-final=Vdrum-initial−((H-Dliquid-in-sensor)*A), wherein H is thedepth of liquid 22 in the drum 24; Vdrum-final is the final volume ofliquid 22 in the drum; Vdrum-initial is the initial volume of liquid 22in the drum; A is a cross sectional area of the tube 26;Dliquid-in-sensor is the depth of the liquid in the tube 26 determinedas follows: Dliquid-in-sensor=(L−(((Pi*Vi/Ti)*(Tf/Pf))/A)), wherein L isa length of the tube 26; Pi is the initial pressure in the tube 26 priorto insertion of the tube 26 in the liquid; Vi is the initial volume ofthe tube 26 that is calculated by the dimensions of the tube 26; Ti isthe initial temperature of air in the tube 26; Pf is a pressure in thetube 26 when the tube 26 is submerged in the liquid 22 as calculated bythe first sensor 32A; and Tf is the final temperature of the air insidethe tube 26 when the tube 26 is submerged. This step may further includethe processor 34 being configured to collect a plurality of usage datacomprising at least one of a time, a temperature, and the volume ofliquid 22 withdrawn from the drum 24.

The step of determining whether the liquid 22 withdrawal has occurredmay further include the first sensor 32A generating the first signal ata predetermined interval and the second sensor 32B generating the secondsignal at the predetermined interval. The step of providing theprocessor 34 may include the processor 34 being configured to store aplurality of readings, wherein the plurality of readings may be any oneof the first signal and the first signal minus the second signal. Saidanother way, the plurality of readings may be any one of a pressure ofthe liquid 22 at a certain depth, or, a pressure of the liquid 22 at acertain depth minus the pressure of the air outside or inside the drum24. The step of providing the processor 34 may include the processor 34being configured to compile a report, wherein the report may be anaverage of the plurality of readings over a predetermined time. Forexample, if the first and second sensors 32A, 32B generate first andsecond signals every second, and, a report was compiled by the processor34 every minute, then, the report would be the average of sixtyreadings. The step of providing the processor 34 may further include theprocessor 34 being configured to store at least two of the reports.Preferably, the processor 34 stores the newest at least two reportscompiled. More preferably, the processor 34 stores the newest at leastthree reports compiled. More preferably still, the processor 34 storesthe newest at least five reports compiled. The step of providing theprocessor 34 may further include the processor 34 being configured todetermine a pressure difference between at least two of the reports. Thestep of providing the processor 34 may further include the processor 34being configured to recognize the liquid withdrawal when the pressuredifference between at least two of the reports is greater than apredetermined pressure. The step of providing the processor 34 mayfurther include the processor 34 being configured to determine a totalpressure difference when the liquid withdrawal has ended between thepressure of the liquid 22 at the bottom of the drum 24 before the liquidwithdrawal started and the pressure of the liquid 22 at the bottom ofthe drum 24 after the liquid withdrawal ended. The step of providing theprocessor 34 may further include the processor 34 being configured todetermine a volume of the liquid withdrawn in the liquid withdrawal byanalyzing the total pressure difference.

A preferred method of determining whether a liquid withdrawal hasoccurred or whether changes in the first signal represent anon-withdrawal event operates as follows. The preferred method is notlimiting, but is solely meant to provide an example. The liquid 22 in adrum 24 may be used for the purpose of washing dairy equipment.Preferably, the washing cycle for the dairy equipment withdrawals liquid22 from the drum 24 for a predetermined amount of time. The first andsecond sensors 32A, 32B may generate first and second signals,respectively, every 512 milliseconds. Preferably, but not necessarily,the processor 34 stores a plurality of readings wherein each reading isthe pressure at the bottom of the drum 24 as measured by the firstsensor 32A and carried in the first signal minus the pressure of ambientair outside the drum 24 as measured by the second sensor 32B and carriedin the second signal. Preferably, but not necessarily, the processor 34compiles a report that averages a plurality of readings over a timeperiod that is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of timethe washing cycle withdrawals liquid 22 from the drum 24. Morepreferably, the processor 34 compiles a report that averages a pluralityof readings over a time period that is equal to the predetermined amountof time the washing cycle withdrawals liquid 22 from the drum 24.Preferably, but not required, the processor 34 stores the five newestreports compiled. For simplicity, assume that the reports are numbered1-5 where 1 is the newest report compiled and 5 is the 5^(th) newestreport compiled such that as soon as a report is compiled it becomesnumber one and the other reports move down a number as follows: 1becomes 2, 2 becomes 3, 3 becomes 4, 4 becomes 5, and 5 gets deleted.Since the length of time the washing cycle withdrawals liquid 22 ispreferably equal to the length of time to generate a new report, awithdrawal by the washing cycle may only occur during a single report ortwo consecutive reports. Said another way, if a liquid withdrawalstarted at some point within the readings averaged by the third report,the liquid withdrawal would have ended at some point within the readingsaveraged by the second report. Preferably, the processor 34 compares theaverage pressures taken in the fifth report and the third report.Preferably, if the average pressure taken in the fifth report minus theaverage pressure taken in the third report is greater than twentyPascal's, the processor 34 determines a withdrawal has taken place.Preferably, the processor 34 uses the average pressure taken in thefirst report as the post-withdrawal pressure at the bottom of the drum24 after determining a liquid withdrawal has taken place. Preferably,the processor 34 determines the pressure drop caused by a liquidwithdrawal by taking the fifth report minus the first reportinstantaneously after the processor 34 determines a withdrawal hasoccurred. The processor 34 may use the pressure drop to determine thedepth of liquid 22 used in the liquid withdrawal and/or to determine thevolume of liquid 22 used in the washing cycle. Preferably, if the volumeof liquid 22 used in the washing cycle is lower than a predeterminedvolume, the processor 34 is configured to send an alert. Preferably, thealert re-sends after a pre-determined amount of time in perpetuity untilan acknowledgement, such as a text reply, is received by the processor.However, the acknowledgment may be any other suitable acknowledgment ofthe alert without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 7A, and 7B, one embodiment of at least onesensor apparatus 20 for use in a dairy wash system operates as follows.Preferably, but not necessarily, the dairy wash system includes awashing cycle for dairy equipment. Preferably, the washing cyclecommences after milking of cows. Preferably, the washing cyclewithdrawals three different kinds of liquids that are located inseparate drums. The liquids are preferably withdrawn by hoses 48attached to pumps 54. The hoses 48 may have a temperature sensor thereonto measure the temperature of liquid 22 flowing through the hose 48.However, the washing cycle may withdrawal any number of liquids from anynumber of drums without departing from the scope of the invention.Preferably, the three liquids used are a detergent, an acid, and asanitizer. Preferably, each of the liquids are in their own drum,wherein each drum 24 includes a sensor apparatus 20 therein. Preferably,the first and second sensors 32A, 32B in each sensor apparatus 20 areelectronically connected to a single processor 34. However, any numberof processors may be used without departing from the scope of theinvention. Preferably, the processor 34 is configured for entry of aplurality of inputs via a text from a cell phone. However, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the plurality of inputsmay be entered via any electronic device. Preferably, the plurality ofinputs the processor 34 is configured to receive is at least one of:number of liquids used in washing cycle, order in which the liquids areto be withdrawn from their respective drums during the washing cyclewherein at least two liquids may be programmed to be withdrawn at thesame time, the specific gravities of the liquids used, the number ofwashing cycles expected per day, the number of seconds each pump 54 isconfigured to withdrawal each liquid 22 out of their respective drums,phone numbers to send a text message alert to, and the dairy name.

Preferably, as seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the processor 34 is furtherconfigured to determine when a washing cycle has begun and ended.Referring to FIG. 7A, the processor 34 is preferably configured todetermine when a washing cycle has started and ended by firstdetermining if the temperature recorded by a temperature sensor on amilk line has risen a predetermined number of degrees in a predeterminedtime period 104, therefore, meaning that the milking of cows is over. Ifthe processor 34 has determined that the temperature of the milk linehas risen a predetermined number of degrees within a predetermined timeperiod 104, the processor 34 is preferably configured to start storingreadings 108 of the pressure measured by the first sensor 32A minus thepressure measured by the second sensor 32B for each of the sensorapparatus's. Preferably, the processor 34 is further configured to startcompiling reports 118 for each sensor apparatus 20, wherein, preferably,the length of time the processor 34 takes to compile a new report forany given sensor apparatus 20 is the same amount of time the liquid 22the sensor apparatus 20 is placed in is programmed to be withdrawn fromthe drum 24 during a wash cycle. Preferably, the processor 34 isconfigured to store the newest of at least two reports for every liquid22 used in the washing cycle. More preferably, the processor 34 isconfigured to store the newest of at least three reports for everyliquid 22 used in the washing cycle. More preferably still, theprocessor 34 is configured to store the newest five reports for everyliquid 22 used in the washing cycle.

Still referring to FIG. 7A, preferably, the processor 34 is furtherconfigured to analyze 120 the stored reports for each liquid 22.Preferably, the processor 34 determines whether a liquid withdrawal hasstarted 122 in any of the liquids used in the washing cycle.Specifically, the processor 34 preferably determines whether there isgreater than a twenty Pascal pressure difference in the fifth newestreport and first newest report and, whether there is less than a twentyPascal pressure difference between the fifth newest report and the thirdnewest report for all liquids used. If so, the processor 34 ispreferably configured to determine that a withdrawal of the respectiveliquid has just started 124. If not, the processor 34 preferably startsthe determination again when a new report is compiled. Preferably, theprocessor 34 is configured to determine a wash cycle has begun 128 whenthe processor 34 determines that a withdrawal has started on any of theliquids. Preferably, the processor 34 records the time the processor 34determines a washing cycle has started, and, the number of washingcycles performed each day 128.

After a liquid withdrawal has occurred for any of the liquids, theprocessor 34 preferably is configured to determine when the liquidwithdrawal has ended 132 by determining whether the pressure differencebetween the fifth newest report and the third newest report is greaterthan twenty Pascal's. If so the processor 34 is configured to determinethat the liquid withdrawal for that particular liquid has ended. Afterdetermining a liquid withdrawal for a particular liquid 22 has ended,the processor 34 is preferably configured to immediately determine thepressure drop 134 of the liquid 22 at the bottom of the drum 24 bysubtracting the first newest report from the fifth newest report.Subsequently, the processor 34 is preferably configured to determine theorder 138 that each liquid's withdrawal ended. After the processor 34determines that a withdrawal has started on at least one liquid, theprocessor 34 may be configured to start a timer 130 such that if theprocessor 34 fails to determine that the liquid withdrawal has endedwithin a predetermined length of time, the processor 34 may reverse itsdetermination that a withdrawal has taken place.

After a liquid withdrawal for each liquid has ended, and, the order inwhich the liquids were withdrawn has been determined, the processor 34is preferably configured to perform another check 142 to ensure awashing cycle, and liquid withdrawals, have indeed taken place. Thecheck 142 preferably includes the processor 34 configured to determineif at least four of following have occurred: the processor 34 hasdetermined a wash cycle has started; the order in which the processor 34determined the liquid withdrawals occurred matches the order in whichthe liquids are to be withdrawn that was entered into the processor 34;if the pressure at the bottom of each drum 24 has dropped by thirty ormore Pascal's; if the temperature recorded by a temperature sensor onthe milk line has risen a predetermined number of degrees in apredetermined time period; and if the temperature sensors on each hose48 are consistent with predetermined temperatures. If at least four haveoccurred 144, the processor 34 is preferably configured to confirm thewashing cycle 156. Subsequently, the processor 34 is preferablyconfigured to send an alert 160 if any data collected by the processor34, such as temperature of the liquids flowing through the hose 48, thetime of a washing cycle, or a pressure differential at the bottom of thedrums after a liquid withdrawal has occurred, is inconsistent with aplurality of predetermined data. If less than four have occurred, theprocessor 34 preferably reverses its determination that the washingcycle has started 148. Subsequently, the processor 34 preferably beginsanalyzing 120 the stored reports again. FIGS. 8, 9, 10A-10B, 11, 12,13A-13B, 14, 15, and 16A-16B illustrate alternative preferred methodsfor providing a system for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum.

Referring to FIG. 22, another preferred method of providing a sensorapparatus for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum above an initialdrum liquid height is provided. It is preferred that the drum include asidewall. The method preferably includes the step of providing a tubehaving a first end and a second end. The second end may be disposed onthe sidewall of the drum such that the tube and an inside of the drumare in fluid communication. The second end is preferably located on thesidewall proximate the initial drum liquid height.

The method may include the step of providing a seal positioned in thetube and spaced from the second end. The method may also include thestep of providing a first sensor disposed in the tube between the sealand the second end and configured to measure air pressure in the tube.The method may further include the step of providing a processor inelectronic communication with the first sensor, wherein the processorautomatically determines the depth of liquid in the tank not includingthe initial drum liquid height.

Referring to FIG. 23, a sample GUI for a smart phone is shown. However,those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the smart phonecan be a tablet, an internet website, or any other electronic devicewithout departing from the scope of the invention. The name of the dairyfarm 202 may be the contact name in the smart phone. In addition to theprocessor 34 being configured to send a text alert 256 if any data isinconsistent with a plurality of predetermined data, the processor 34,as best seen in FIG. 23, is further preferably configured to send a textinquiry reply 254, such as the volume of liquid remaining in a drum,when a text inquiry 252 is asked. However, those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the inquiries may be made by any othersuitable way, such as voice communication or email, without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Similarly, inquiry replies by theprocessor need not be by text, but may be made in any other suitable waywithout departing from the scope of the invention. Supply companies thatsupply certain chemicals, detergent, or other liquids to dairy farms, orother industries, often find it hard to expand their business past acertain point due the hassle of having to stop at each dairy farm whenon a run to fill up drums 24 of liquid 22. Allowing the suppliers to askthe processor 34 the volume of liquids in drums on the dairy farms theysupply may allow the suppliers to skip dairy farms when on a supply runif the dairy farm does not need their drums re-filled that day, thereby,allowing the suppliers to expand the number of customers they may have.

It is common for pumps 54 to die or stop functioning after a certainamount of time or use. Usually before a pump 54 stops functioning, thepump gradually pumps lower and lower volumes of liquid during a specifictime interval. Therefore, it may be advantageous to configure aprocessor 34 to determine and store the volume of liquid each pump pumpsduring a specific time interval and compare the results in order topredict when a pump 54 might fail, or, when the pump 54 may notwithdrawal the predetermined minimum volume of liquid during a washcycle. The processor 34 preferably is configured to store datacomprising at least a volume of liquid pumped during each wash cycle.This data, and other data, may be stored on an SD slot card, or thelike, and have a backup system such as a battery backup. The processor34 is preferably further configured to compare the stored data of atleast a volume of liquid pumped during each wash cycle in order tocreate a pump trend for each pump 54. The processor 34 may be configuredto send a text alert 256 if the volume of liquid pumped during a washcycle is lower than a predetermined volume.

Further, the processor is preferably configured to analyze the pumptrend in order to determine how long it will take before the pump 54fails or cannot meet the minimum volume threshold for a wash.

While various shapes, configurations, and features have been describedabove and shown in the drawings for the various embodiments of thepresent invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatefrom this disclosure that any combination of the above features can beused without departing from the scope of the present invention. It isunderstood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover allmodifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and/or shown in the attached drawings.

I claim:
 1. A method for providing a system for measuring a depth of aliquid in a drum, the method comprising the steps of: providing a firstsensor configured to be located in fluid communication with an inside ofthe drum, the first sensor being an air pressure sensor generating afirst signal corresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom ofthe drum; providing a second sensor configured to be in fluidcommunication with ambient atmosphere outside of the drum, the secondsensor being an air pressure sensor generating a second signalcorresponding to ambient pressure outside the drum; providing at leastone software module stored on a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium, the software module being configured such that when operating ona processor, the processor is configured to automatically determine thedepth of the liquid in the drum based on at least one of the firstsignal and the second signal and to automatically determine whether aliquid withdrawal has occurred or whether changes in the first signalrepresent a non withdrawal event.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising providing a processor including the at least one softwaremodule thereon, the processor receiving the first and second signals andautomatically determining the depth of the liquid in the drum andautomatically determining whether a liquid withdrawal has occurred orwhether changes in the first signal represent a non withdrawal event. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing a processor furthercomprises the processor being configured to receive a plurality ofinputs representing at least one of a dimension of the drum, a dimensionof the sensor apparatus, and a specific gravity of the liquid for use incomputing a volume of the liquid in the drum.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the step of providing a processor configured to use the firstand second signals to automatically determine the depth of the liquid inthe drum, further comprises of the processor being configured tosubtract the ambient pressure outside the drum from the pressure of theliquid at a bottom of the drum.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thestep of providing a processor further comprises the processor beingconfigured for entry of the plurality of inputs via a remote electronicdevice.
 6. The method of claim 5, further providing a tube having anopening therein, the opening configured to let the liquid in the drumpartially fill the tube, wherein the step of providing the processorfurther comprises the processor being configured to automaticallydetermine the depth of the liquid in the drum according to:H=(P _(b) −P _(a))/(PPIC*SG _(liquid)) wherein P_(b) is the pressure inthe drum at the opening of the tube as measured by the first sensor,P_(a) is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum as measured by thesecond sensor, SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of the liquid insidethe drum, H is the depth, or height, of the liquid inside the drum abovethe opening, PPIC is determined by ((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H)TUBE_(liquidinches) is the height of liquid in the tube above theopening, 249.17 is the standard pressure exerted by a one inch column ofwater.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of providing a tubefurther comprises the tube having a first end and a second end, thesecond end being configured for placement within the liquid.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the step of providing the processor furthercomprises the processor automatically determining the volume of theliquid in the drum and taking into account any adjustment needed due tothe presence of the tube therein by using the depth of the liquid in thedrum and dimensions of the drum to determine an initial volume of liquidin the drum, then the processor automatically adjusts the initial volumeof liquid in the drum to get a final volume of liquid in the drum thattakes into account the tube, according to:Vdrum-final=Vdrum-initial−((H-Dliquid-in-sensor)*A), wherein H is thedepth of liquid in the drum above the opening; Vdrum-final is the finalvolume of liquid in the drum above the opening; Vdrum-initial is theinitial volume of liquid in the drum above the opening; A is a crosssectional area of the tube; Dliquid-in-sensor is the depth of the liquidin the tube determined as follows:Dliquid-in-sensor=(L−(((Pi*Vi/Ti)*(Tf/Pf)/A)), wherein L is a length ofthe tube; Pi is the initial pressure in the tube prior to insertion ofthe tube in the liquid; Vi is the initial volume of the tube that iscalculated by the dimensions of the tube; Ti is the initial temperatureof air in the tube; Pf is a pressure in the tube when the tube issubmerged in the liquid as calculated by the first sensor; and Tf is thefinal temperature of the air inside the tube when the tube is submerged.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing a processorfurther comprises the processor being configured to collect a pluralityof usage data comprising at least one of a time and a temperature ofliquid withdrawn from the drum.
 10. The method of claim 2, wherein thestep of determining whether the liquid withdrawal has occurred furthercomprises the first sensor generating the first signal at apredetermined interval and the second sensor generating the secondsignal at the predetermined interval.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the step of providing the processor further comprises theprocessor being configured to store a plurality of readings, theplurality of readings being any one of the first signal and the firstsignal minus the second signal.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thestep of providing the processor further comprises the processor beingconfigured to compile a report, the report being an average of theplurality of readings over a predetermined time.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the step of providing the processor further comprises theprocessor being configured to store at least three of the reports, theat least three reports being the newest at least three reports compiled.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing the processorfurther comprises the processor being configured to determine a pressuredifference between at least two of the reports.
 15. The method of claim14, wherein the step of providing the processor further comprises theprocessor being configured to recognize the liquid withdrawal when thepressure difference between at least two of the reports is greater thana predetermined pressure.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the stepof providing the processor further comprises the processor beingconfigured to determine a total pressure difference when the liquidwithdrawal has ended between the pressure of the liquid at the bottom ofthe drum before the liquid withdrawal started and the pressure of theliquid at the bottom of the drum after the liquid withdrawal ended. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein the step of providing the processorfurther comprises the processor being configured to determine a volumeof the liquid withdrawn in the liquid withdrawal by analyzing the totalpressure difference.
 18. The method of claim 7, wherein the step ofproviding the tube further comprises an outer tube configured to bedisposed over the tube, the outer tube having a third end and a fourthend, the outer tube configured to withdraw the liquid from the drum whenthe system is inserted into a hole in a top of the drum.
 19. A methodfor providing a system for measuring a depth of a liquid in a drum, themethod comprising the steps of: providing a first sensor configured tobe located in fluid communication with an inside of the drum, the firstsensor being an air pressure sensor generating a first signalcorresponding to the pressure of the liquid at a bottom of the drum;providing at least one software module stored on a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium, the software module being configuredsuch that when operating on a processor, the processor is configured toautomatically determine the depth of the liquid in the drum based on thefirst signal and to automatically determine whether a liquid withdrawalhas occurred or whether changes in the first signal represent a nonwithdrawal event; providing a processor including the at least onesoftware module thereon, the processor being configured to receiving thefirst signal and automatically determining the depth of the liquid inthe drum and automatically determining whether a liquid withdrawal hasoccurred or whether changes in the first signal represent a nonwithdrawal event.
 20. A method for providing a system for measuring adepth of a liquid in a drum, the method comprising the steps of:providing a first sensor configured to be located in fluid communicationwith an inside of the drum, the first sensor being an air pressuresensor generating a first signal corresponding to the pressure of theliquid at a bottom of the drum; providing at least one software modulestored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, thesoftware module being configured such that when operating on aprocessor, the processor is configured to automatically determine thedepth of the liquid in the drum based on at least one of the firstsignal and the second signal and to automatically determine whether aliquid withdrawal has occurred or whether changes in the first signalrepresent a non withdrawal event; providing a processor including the atleast one software module thereon, the processor receiving the firstsignal and automatically determining the depth of the liquid in the drumand automatically determining whether a liquid withdrawal has occurredor whether changes in the first signal represent a non withdrawal event;providing a tube having an opening therein, the opening configured tolet the liquid in the drum partially fill the tube, wherein the step ofproviding the processor further comprises the processor being configuredto automatically determine the depth of the liquid in the drum accordingto:H=(P _(b) −P _(a))/(PPIC*SG _(liquid)), wherein P_(b) is the pressure inthe drum at the opening of the tube as measured by the first sensor,P_(a) is the atmospheric pressure outside the drum as measured by thesecond sensor, SG_(liquid) is the specific gravity of the liquid insidethe drum, H is the depth, or height, of the liquid inside the drum abovethe opening, PPIC is determined by ((H−TUBE_(liquidinches))*249.17)/H)TUBE_(liquidinches) is the height of liquid in the tube above theopening, 249.17 is the standard pressure exerted by a one inch column ofwater; the processor further being configured to automatically determinea volume of the liquid in the drum and take into account any adjustmentneeded due to the presence of at least one of the first sensor and thetube therein by using the depth of the liquid in the drum and dimensionsof the drum to determine an initial volume of liquid in the drum, thenthe processor automatically adjusts the initial volume of liquid in thedrum to get a final volume of liquid in the drum that takes into accountat least one of the first sensor and the tube.